Would you like to discover the link between reading and wellbeing and how this can enhance your everyday life?

“Literature offers us a powerful language that can help us understand ourselves and others and gives us the words and perspectives that can help us talk about difficult experiences.” Dr Jane Davis, Founder of The Reader

“One sheds one’s sicknesses in books – repeats and presents again one’s emotions, to be master of them.” DH Lawrence, The Letters of DH Lawrence

Bibliotherapy dates back to ancient times when libraries were seen as sacred places where answers and healing could be found. My course explores reading as an active strategy to help cope with life’s challenges, looking at the wider and deeper ways in which fiction and non-fiction can 'find' people, emotionally and imaginatively, helping develop self-esteem, emotional granularity, and interpersonal relationships. Participants will be introduced to the neurological benefits of reading “for pleasure” and to a wellbeing model to help us tailor our book choices in order to thrive.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will gain:

1. An understanding of the key principles of bibliotherapy and how to apply them, including choosing books ‘on

prescription’ and making use of a practical, interactive approach

2. A powerful tool to foster group cohesion

3. The experience of using literature as a form of remedy and healing within our daily lives

The course does not require any prior reading ability or experience and absolutely everyone is welcome!

Fortnightly course schedule – Autumn 2023 Classes run at Books on the Hill on the Fridays listed below, from 10.30am-12.15pm

CLASS ONE - Friday 22 September

What is Bibliotherapy?

· A potted history of Bibliotherapy and its origins

· Differences between clinical and developmental bibliotherapy and the interactive approach

· The neurological process behind reading and how we can maximise its benefits to help us flourish.

CLASS TWO - Friday 6 October

The Library

· The role of libraries as memory keepers for societies and as a ‘house of healing’ for the soul

· The role of librarianship, libraries as ‘safe spaces’/warm hubs and the libraries of the future Activity: Journey through The British Library, Euston Road, London with your instructor as guide The British Library (BL) is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s largest libraries. Its collections include more than 150 million items, in over 400 languages including books, magazines, manuscripts, maps, music scores, newspapers, patents, databases, philatelic items, prints and drawings and sound recordings. The activity includes access to the Library “Treasures section” as a springboard for using literature as remedy

CLASS THREE – Friday 20 October

The Book as a gift/book groups

· The group will receive a personalised book as a gift to explore a common text

· Books as a tool to foster group cohesion and interpersonal relationships

· The power of first-person non-fiction

CLASS FOUR – Friday 3 November

Poetry therapy and the benefits of therapeutic writing

· Poetry Therapy and the qualities that make poems particularly helpful as a wellbeing tool

· The link between reading poetry and therapeutic writing.

· How to apply an interactive approach to poetry

CLASS FIVE – Friday 17 November

Activity: Excursion to Piccadilly’s Bookstores Guided visit to two of London’s signature bookstores, including the oldest book shop in London, Hatchards, and the largest, Waterstones, to consider the changing face of the bookstore and its relationship to our wellbeing.

· Optional tea and cake at The Wolseley (not included in the course fee).

CLASS SIX – Friday 24 November

Putting bibliotherapy into practice

· Adopting a practical approach to bibliotherapy as an art therapy for ourselves and others

· How to set boundaries, create a safe environment and help select appropriate reading choices · Incorporating reading for wellbeing into our daily routine

What is included in the course fee of £130?

• Qualified, experienced and evaluated Bibliotherapy instructor

• Venue for classes in central St Albans at Books on the Hill, 1 Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 1ER

• Instructor as guide to two excursions to London: The British Library and the bookstores of Piccadilly

• Reading materials, articles and online contact with the instructor throughout the course

• A book group gift to each participant

• 10% discount at “Books on the Hill” in St Albans to spend on a book of your choice

NOT included-

• Travel to, from and around London on excursions

• Afternoon tea and cake at The Wolseley (optional)

The course instructor is Nicole Moody (BA, MA, FHEA, Associate Lecturer). Please email bibliotherapyforme@outlook.com for further information (including testimonials) or to register for the course and to embark on a journey for your wellbeing please click here.

Places are limited – first come, first served!